This is a garden-variety buffer-overflow exploit of the sort that could just as easily still exist somewhere in Linux.
I propose a moratorium on the "just as easily in Linux" shit until such time that it actually does happen with the same severity. Until then it means absolutely nothing.
I always found the Microsoft angle possible but secondary until it occurred to me, what is SCO hoping to achieve with a win? Most would think ownership of Linux IP, a high quality and rapidly accepted OS, but a SCO win means the immediate death of Linux. None of the current contributors would continue working on it, development would cease, it instantly becomes stagnant technology, or at best one maintained by SCO's proven team of crack developers (ahem...). What business would implement a product they knew had been abandoned by it developers?
SCO must realize this, that the best they could do is leave the courtroom the victorious custodian of a corpse. SCO's ownership of Linux negates SCO's purported business model. So why do it unless for Microsoft?
An entire film striving to uncover the deep, dark secrets behind his 'Righty Tighty Lefty Lucy' tattoo? Seems appropriate for an actor of Afffleck's talents.
Ben Affleck must be at least the master Hollywood connection engineer, nothing else explains how such a white bread, mediocre looking, low talent limp personality continues to score mega star, blockbuster hype. Or does his dad own Hollywood?
First, it's not always more dificult to install. Some distros are punishing, others are easier than XP unless it involves arcane hardware. Second, the on-line Linux support community is second to none. Most distros have extremely helpful and active mail lists, and Google Groups will unearth damn near the answer to any question. And third, never let the kid next door screw with your computer, unless you really, really like those porn popups.
Apache != Linux any more than Apache on Windows = 2k Server. Nice try. This is a true vulnerability of the core OS, not a 3rd party app. Apples calling the kettle black.
FUD = Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt, or making questionable claims to retard acceptance of the target. The concept of applying to the term to news of a new and devastating Windows virus makes my head explode. Who wouldn't believe? Where do Uncertainty and Doubt enter the picture?
What forum are you reading? All the posts blaming users are from Microsoft apologists, not Linux users. Wait, then again, a highly moderated post spuriously taking Linux users to task must mean this is Slashdot.
Because we don't work for Microsoft? What other product demands we set aside time every week to investigate its latest flaws and provide repairs? Lemon laws were passed for just such things.
Off topic, but for those who care, the QNX OS and desktop are available as a free download at www.qnx.com. Install and configuration is trivial for anyone who can install RedHat or 2K. Interesting OS and enough free software out there to make it worth toying with on a junk computer when there's nothing on the tube.
That's not funny man, I fielded an in-house call like that two weeks ago. Took me a while to figure out what "...the light on the front of the computer just keeps flashing yellow..." meant.
In other news, it was discovered that everyone looks like an idiot when they require the services of a domain expert.
Wrong, they look like people with less knowledge in the subject to the expert, not idiots. Within that sub-class it ranges from intelligent, patient, polite and willing to work with you to rectify a problem to obtuse, demanding, lazy idiots. Pretty much the same range of people you'd meet who aren't holding for tech support.
Having worked in tech support (computer and non-computer related) for twenty years, trust me when I tell you that there are those who consider support as room service, maid or cabana boy to be verbally abused into cleaning up their laziness and stupidity.
You see, and this will sound harsh to a Slashbot, most people have better things to do than learn the minutae of their PCs.
Most of us took years learning to read too, doesn't mean publishers should provide an orator with every book. You buy a car, you learn to use it. A computer is far more general purpose and complex, if your job depends on using one it's your responsibility to learn its use. You work for your employer, tech support doesn't. Sorry if it sounds harsh that a person is responsible to meet the requirements of their employment agreement, but dumping that responsibility on someone else is no less harsh.
The fact that people earn a rudimentary living supporting clueless users doesn't make that user any smarter or more knowledgeable. Essentially, many of these people are buying a product beyond their capabilities or initiative to learn and throwing the responsibility on some poor low-paid shmuck to sort out for them while they snowboard and club. Faced with this yearly, daily and hourly, it's ridiculous to suggest people working help desks not blow off steam every once in a while. What better place?
And yes, I've supported users since the Win 3.1 days and there's something wrong with more than the UI when, after years of Windows use, someone still hasn't learned what the little 'X' in the top right corner does.
The parent contains an insight that many Linux hackers simply don't get. It's better to have some process generate a thousand I/O errors than to have a computer that is not responsive to user input.
All OSs have their downside. Every Windows versions I've used up to XP did the same processing background network tasks, essentially shutting off all desktop-user interaction until it was done what its designers considered important. Many times I've had users reboot systems that weren't really locked up, just totally focussed on a background task. I long ago learned to use a network monitor systray utility like Netpersec to avoid false positives.
Some Windows versions also had a nasty 'feature' of caching the contents of removable media in Explorer, continuing to display them long after the media was removed. Don't put down to elitism what is adequately explained by sloppiness.
+5 from me. That and Window's tab-phobia, set key bindings and multiple desktop avoidance disorder make it feel like I'm using a 1995 or 1998 desktop when using XP at work instead of Fuxbox at home.
My guess is that's part of the reason it took so long for them to step forward. Once they step up to bat for the GPL in the courtroom there's no turning back. Many late nights were probably spent debating a) if the GPL was on solid legal grounds, and b) if IBM, the holder of more patents than most any global business, wanted to commit fully and legally to it. This is a historical moment for Open Source.
Slashdot Mirror
Maybe you haven't noticed just how many Linux and FreeBSD boxes there are on the internet. MS is a target because it's an easier box to break. Period.
I propose a moratorium on the "just as easily in Linux" shit until such time that it actually does happen with the same severity. Until then it means absolutely nothing.
SCO must realize this, that the best they could do is leave the courtroom the victorious custodian of a corpse. SCO's ownership of Linux negates SCO's purported business model. So why do it unless for Microsoft?
An entire film striving to uncover the deep, dark secrets behind his 'Righty Tighty Lefty Lucy' tattoo? Seems appropriate for an actor of Afffleck's talents.
Ben Affleck must be at least the master Hollywood connection engineer, nothing else explains how such a white bread, mediocre looking, low talent limp personality continues to score mega star, blockbuster hype. Or does his dad own Hollywood?
Poor driver quality have been at the centre of most on-line product reviews for years. Maybe you mean the commercial rags?
First, it's not always more dificult to install. Some distros are punishing, others are easier than XP unless it involves arcane hardware. Second, the on-line Linux support community is second to none. Most distros have extremely helpful and active mail lists, and Google Groups will unearth damn near the answer to any question. And third, never let the kid next door screw with your computer, unless you really, really like those porn popups.
How do you explain all those who did?
You forgot step 1b, relevant to the vast majority of Windows users. Buy and install XP.
Apache != Linux any more than Apache on Windows = 2k Server. Nice try. This is a true vulnerability of the core OS, not a 3rd party app. Apples calling the kettle black.
FUD = Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt, or making questionable claims to retard acceptance of the target. The concept of applying to the term to news of a new and devastating Windows virus makes my head explode. Who wouldn't believe? Where do Uncertainty and Doubt enter the picture?
What forum are you reading? All the posts blaming users are from Microsoft apologists, not Linux users. Wait, then again, a highly moderated post spuriously taking Linux users to task must mean this is Slashdot.
I hope you explained to them in clear terms what was the real problem.
Because we don't work for Microsoft? What other product demands we set aside time every week to investigate its latest flaws and provide repairs? Lemon laws were passed for just such things.
Perhaps, but I wouldn't expect them to release it.
Off topic, but for those who care, the QNX OS and desktop are available as a free download at www.qnx.com. Install and configuration is trivial for anyone who can install RedHat or 2K. Interesting OS and enough free software out there to make it worth toying with on a junk computer when there's nothing on the tube.
They don't have to know the CAPS LOCK KEY? CAN I WORK FOR YOUR COMPANY?
That's not funny man, I fielded an in-house call like that two weeks ago. Took me a while to figure out what "...the light on the front of the computer just keeps flashing yellow..." meant.
Wrong, they look like people with less knowledge in the subject to the expert, not idiots. Within that sub-class it ranges from intelligent, patient, polite and willing to work with you to rectify a problem to obtuse, demanding, lazy idiots. Pretty much the same range of people you'd meet who aren't holding for tech support.
Having worked in tech support (computer and non-computer related) for twenty years, trust me when I tell you that there are those who consider support as room service, maid or cabana boy to be verbally abused into cleaning up their laziness and stupidity.
You see, and this will sound harsh to a Slashbot, most people have better things to do than learn the minutae of their PCs.
Most of us took years learning to read too, doesn't mean publishers should provide an orator with every book. You buy a car, you learn to use it. A computer is far more general purpose and complex, if your job depends on using one it's your responsibility to learn its use. You work for your employer, tech support doesn't. Sorry if it sounds harsh that a person is responsible to meet the requirements of their employment agreement, but dumping that responsibility on someone else is no less harsh.
And yes, I've supported users since the Win 3.1 days and there's something wrong with more than the UI when, after years of Windows use, someone still hasn't learned what the little 'X' in the top right corner does.
A pager?
All OSs have their downside. Every Windows versions I've used up to XP did the same processing background network tasks, essentially shutting off all desktop-user interaction until it was done what its designers considered important. Many times I've had users reboot systems that weren't really locked up, just totally focussed on a background task. I long ago learned to use a network monitor systray utility like Netpersec to avoid false positives.
Some Windows versions also had a nasty 'feature' of caching the contents of removable media in Explorer, continuing to display them long after the media was removed. Don't put down to elitism what is adequately explained by sloppiness.
+5 from me. That and Window's tab-phobia, set key bindings and multiple desktop avoidance disorder make it feel like I'm using a 1995 or 1998 desktop when using XP at work instead of Fuxbox at home.
Long term, not in a single flaming blaze of glory. Business != lottery.
My guess is that's part of the reason it took so long for them to step forward. Once they step up to bat for the GPL in the courtroom there's no turning back. Many late nights were probably spent debating a) if the GPL was on solid legal grounds, and b) if IBM, the holder of more patents than most any global business, wanted to commit fully and legally to it. This is a historical moment for Open Source.